Openly Gay Chris Pappas Wins Democratic Primary for House Seat

Chris Pappas won the Democratic Primary in New Hampshire’s 1st House District. He received 42% of the vote in the 11-person primary race to replace Rep. Carol Shea-Porter—who is retiring.

Pappas, a small-business owner, became the lead nominee after being supported by local Democrats and Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Represenatative Ann McLane Kuster.

“I’m the only candidate in this race pledging that the majority of my campaign donors live right here in New Hampshire,” Pappas said in a recent ad, an implicit attack on Sullivan.

“Chris Pappas continues to smash long-standing political barriers for LGBTQ New Hampshirites — and his victory is emblematic of the pipeline of LGBTQ leaders who continue to rise through the ranks to better serve their constituents,” Annise Parker of the LGBTQ Victory Fund said in a statement. “Democratic primary voters are demanding authentic, values-driven leaders who prioritize policies over politics — and they found that leader in Chris.”